I think what every commissioner needs to understand is that "the little dotted line" is important to EVERY resident regardless of what district you live in. Part of the draw to this community was the fact that there was farm land in W Bradenton along with rural land out east. Those of us in other districts respect the chosen area that others live in. Sadly, we the citizens, are not being properly represented. If we were we would not be clear cutting and removing wetlands along with the other disasters that are being created by all of the overdevelopment.
Good to see all of these good folks to choose from in this primary. I prefer Kirschner for several reasons, but most importantly because of his long career of service to communities and his interest in an important federal position that requires time to establish seniority and appointments that will be so important to our county. So I discourage voting for Pearson (the next best in my mind) because of his avowed "one term" commitment. We need a representative who will commit to establishing the type of representation that only comes with the intention to devote oneself to advancing the interests of those represented in congress. Examine the career of Vern Buchanan and you will realize how important that length of service became to his effectiveness. I may not always have agreed with how he applied this, but you should get the point, we should elect a committed person for this office. Kirschner clearly has demonstrated his commitment to advance his community in each job, volunteer work, or office he has held and he is young enough to be able to use that advantage to benefit all of us even better than Buchanan did. In all aspects Kirschner is my first choice — for this primary and especially, in the general election against the offerings of the other party.
To me, a good work ethic shows character. Nobody can say the Mr. Speir is not a hard worker. I admire that. Sydney Gruters has been on the public gravy train at New College. Now she wants to move up to first class. If for nothing else, I hope voters are disgusted by the colossal waste of resources and landfill space required as a result of Gruters' daily mailers and reject her for that reason.
Are we not shocked that a Nazi right wing group is tacitly supporting another Desantis initiative? When you see the terms "western values" read "white supremacist". Please realize that the current governor has been and will continue to be about supporting the preservation, power and rule of a select group of white men. This is the old order of the Empire that is re-asserting its will to bend the state into a return to its less than storied past. Never mind that suppression of home rule used to be anathema to these groups and neo-Republicans . Big government is ok as long as its "our" big government and it supports the power base and money supply that is the true power. Meanwhile lets again ignore climbing prices and rampant fraud by these industries that the governor has in his supporting group - insurance reforms anyone? Rather - lets focus your attention on the red meat topics of library book censorship or painting over rainbow crosswalks. Governing is not exciting, not headline grabbing and not quick to come to fruition. Its policies, debate, review, analysis and a necessarily collaborative process - in other words its hard. Any budget as large and comprehensive as a typical county can and should be subject to review and consideration for efficiency and priorities - but who should review - the state versus the actual locality that must live with the results? How much easier to institute autocratic rule from above and hire so called AI experts (who will review their credentials, models and results for validity, consistency) who will now reap the benefit as with Alligator Alcatraz of siphoning your tax dollars into no-bid contracts. Will this AI revolution for DOGE be the most expensive way to review spending in the same way Alligator Alcatraz was the MOST expensive way to manage expulsion of non-citizens? Let the local governments manage their affairs or you will have re-instituted the environment that we learned about, or used to, in high school - no taxation without representation. We can hold our locally elected officials to task but we currently have little power over the implicit white supremacist State administration and we need to fight to keep them at bay and hopefully start reversing course. I do not agree with everything the MCG BOCC does but the last elections walked back a bit from the precipice. Think about the horrid job Hopes, Van Ostenbridge and others did while on your "dime? Now think about the governor and his ilk - are they actually better? Or are they tangibly worse?
"Empires rise and fall on this same corruption" .... Last week the leader of the US empire self-reported making over $2.2 billion in just the first year of his presidency. Trump’s most lucrative self-enrichment comes directly from his cryptocurrency and dealings with foreign governments - businesses that his administration is supposed to oversee in our interest.Instead, he does so in his personal interest. And it isn't just the $2 billion he's put in his own pocket. His friends and family are cashing in at every turn.The Trump sons have a stake in 14 companies that are being awarded government contracts. Then there is the selling of pardons to fraudsters, drug dealers, and anyone else who has the $. He raises tariff's and then lowers them for countries that pay him off by allowing Trump hotels in their country. He builds his "brand" by putting his name and face on publicly owned property. He leverages government agencies to squeeze payments out of businesses that want mergers approved. He calls off anti-trust lawsuits against companies like TicketMaster, after they donate to MAGA. I could list a hundred more examples of blatant corruption happening in front of our own eyes. Our country has thrived for 250 years because America used to be a place where the rule of law made it safe for business to invest. How many hard working, honest mining firms have lost out to contracts being awarded to Eric and Don Jr? Corruption used to be un-American. Now we turn a blind eye.
Mitch, thank you so much for this timely piece about Glen and the choice facing district 4 voters! I don't live in that district, but wish I did so I could vote for Glen. I followed the issues that came before the Manatee County BOCC over the past several years and find Rahn's campaign flyers unbelievable, considering how he voted and pitched in favor of developers. The worst is how he, and Ballard, voted regarding impact fees. I'm unable to vote for Glen, but donated to his campaign. Please district 4 voters, vote for Glen!
Voters need to educate themselves on where candidates get their money. It’s really pretty simple. What candidates are taking money from insurance companies and developers? And Buyer Beware - this affordable housing issue is a cover for developers to keep pouring money into elected officials pockets. Common sense would tell you - don’t build Soviet style housing in abandoned golf course neighborhoods - stop chopping down and encroaching on wetlands and for heaven sake - don’t build on watersheds? Let local government do their job - which is - listening to the people - making use of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan which every county has due to the 1985 Growth Management Act. This plan protects for future generations our natural spaces and plans accordingly to make our neighborhoods and local communities more resilient and prepared for the next big storm! Climate change is real - just read about it in your homeowners insurance policy - under “Risk”! Insurance companies are banking on it! Why in the heck isn’t our governor and legislature seeing this reality? VOTERS please stay engaged and informed!
For complete list of offices in the primary relating to Manatee County and their videos AND Bradenton Times podcasts, go to https://lwvmanatee.org/voting-videos/
When the only "dirt" they can find is the thing you did (that you take full responsibility for) that changed your life for the better. It only makes me respect you more. You have been regularly attending Commissioner meetings for longer than the 10 years I have been watching. You go to almost every meeting often times more prepared than sitting commissioners. You have been asking questions and representing the public during public comment without the public at large ever knowing. You will bring a lot to the table and District 4 would be lucky to have you.
Great perspective and experience. It's good to have a candidate who has had children go through the schools here and is aware of the issues facing them. I did volunteer for a reading program in Title 1 schools for a few years, and it was sad to see the differences in the reading levels at different schools. He's intelligent and thoughtful and knows how to run a business and work with others. He certainly has my vote.
Deja vu! In the words of The Who, "Meet the new boss, he's the same as the old boss." WE have to stop putting paid politicians in office. Two items: It should be illegal that donors from outside the state are able to make a contributions and there should be a donation cap. Millions of dollars to get a puppet/person elected while families are striving to make ends meet. It's absurd!
A very sad waste of a man's life... he lacked a mentor, a strong person to guide an shape his charactor...
Remember the line from Brando in the movie " On the Waterfront", "I could'a been somebody!" He wasted his gifts.
There is still a candidate forum for County Commission District 1 Republican Candiodates today-Wednesday and a Congressional District 16 Republican on Thursday. To register and/or see the videos of the prior candidate forums, go to https://lwvmanatee.org/
Where was Tara Poulton in 2023 when, not only the wetland buffers were removed, but impact fees were not raised, and so many other shenanigans? Tara said she "loved the local stuff" but I submit she only "loved the local stuff" when she needed a new job. Ms Poulton certainly knows the issues that whoever wins will have to deal with, yet in her interview with TBT, she spoke in catchy phrases that evaded taking a position. Her clear cutting response is a perfect example: She was asked directly if there should be limits to the amount of clear-cutting developers are allowed - that should have been a no-brainer. But she couldn't say yes. She spoke in circles about "bringing developers into the conversation" and that there are "3 sides to every story." I care deeply about the overdevelopment that is killing wildlife and ruining our quality of life. I don't think we need to "bring developers into the conversation." Developers have dominated the conversation for too long, and they certainly haven't brought citizens into the conversation. I listened objectively to Ference, Poulton and Colovich. I used their own words to make my decision. Ed Ference is a straight shooter.
Seems that Manatee County should have followed suit with Sarasota just for the simple reason that more counties saying the same thing to the courts should help the schools' cases to prove their points. Superintendent Breslin likes to work through and collaborate with all the parties, which is great most of the time, but in this case Manatee waited too long to come out strong and collaborate with Sarasota on how to proceed. Her explanation how the cases are different make sense. I agree with Sal about the tax collector's costs being suspicious.
Recent Comments
Dianna writes:
Roadways and Sprawl
Charles writes:
Race Analysis: Congressional District 16 Democratic Primary
David Daniels writes:
Race Analysis: Congressional District 16 Republican Primary
oracle_of_experience writes:
D.C. event reveals extremist ties in Florida DOGE's national push
magstarwire@gmail.com writes:
Congress needs to get serious about Robocalls
kmskepton@yahoo.com writes:
Florida governor’s betrayal of clean water promise reaches peak with biosolids veto
David Daniels writes:
Residents are SHUT OUT from Manatee County
David Daniels writes:
Sex, Policy, and Spiritual War
graumli22 writes:
A tale of two candidates … with decades of receipts
THarte writes:
Suncoast lawmakers hollowed out home rule. Do voters care?
N_Alice_Newlon writes:
Video: LWV Manatee County Commission Republican Primary District 1 Candidate Forum
Dianna writes:
A response to the attacks against my character and campaign
chrisluvspoodles writes:
Episode 242: Jonathan Mullis
Lktinsanfran@yahoo.com writes:
Donalds campaign flooded with billionaire cash from outside the state
san.gander@gmail.com writes:
Gillum arrested in Alabama on felony drug charges
N_Alice_Newlon writes:
Where to watch 2026 candidate forums and debates online
lib224@gmail.com writes:
The Staggering Cost of James Uthmeier
Lktinsanfran@yahoo.com writes:
Florida’s experience with toxic algae blooms can help clear up Reflecting Pool mess
David Daniels writes:
At-large candidate Poulton leads D6 field in fundraising, positioning herself among the top earners across all BOCC races
writerlynn9717@gmail.com writes:
School tax fix set to become law highlights different local approaches, outcomes